Monday, September 19, 2016

ACCIDENTS HAPPEN

Yes, they do.

Unexpected, unannounced, uninvited.

Just like last week…

So, I was down visiting family again. "The Hub" was with all of us for a few days, but then journeyed home.

I was spending a very nice evening with my youngest son, when my phone starting ringing. I looked at the number, and not recognizing it, I did not answer.(I've been getting a LOT of unsolicited telemarketing calls lately…GRRR!)Fast forward 2½ hours…

At a lull in the evening, I glanced at my phone and saw that the unknown number had left a voice mail.

Hmmm, that's unusual.

So, I checked the voice mail.

That's when I heard a very familiar voice speaking:"Hi, it's me. Don't freak out, but I'm at the hospital…"

Yes, it was "The Hub."

I did my best not to freak out, but the word *hospital* did drive my adrenaline into overdrive!As I listened to the rest of his message, I found out what had happened.

"The Hub" has been doing some wonderful woodwork on Manzanita branches.

He chooses the dead and fallen branches, and brings them home. Then he begins the time-consuming work of sanding them until they are smooth as glass. After the sanding is done, he applies tung oil to them, and rubs them until they have a low gloss.

Oh, what beauty is restored!

Lately, he's been making chimes out of them, by adding *icicles* of stained glass. Or he makes candleholders out of the larger branches.

This is where the trouble started.

Because, in order to make candleholders, you have to drill out little *wells* to hold the glass votives.

And that drilling requires a 2" drill bit. (That's TWO inches round, folks...)You do see where this is going, don't you?!

Yup.

The drill bit caught, and then skipped out of the hole.

And sliced open two of "The Hub's" fingers.

O.U.C.H.

It was over two hours before I finally heard from him again. (You see, he had called me using someone else's phone, and told me not to call back).

I knew he was "OK" because he was chuckling. But still…tough guy that he is, I knew the cuts had to be bad for him to decide he needed to go to the hospital.

Finally, at about 10:20 PM, he called me.

Around 4:00 PM, the accident happened. He said that he immediately put his hand behind his back, because he knew it was bad. One look confirmed that he needed help.

He first went to a local clinic here in town.

There was no one there except the receptionist. And even if the staff had been there, she informed my husband that there wasn't anyone there who could stitch him up.

From there, he went to our local fire department.

They didn't have anyone to stitch him up either. But they did help disinfect the wound and wrapped it up. (Which was a whole lot better than the bloody towel "The Hub" was sporting at the time!).

And, since the wound was on his right hand, and his Jeep has a stick shift, he couldn't drive himself to the hospital – which was an hour away.

So, he got a personal ambulance ride to the hospital.

After getting x-rays to confirm that he hadn't done any damage to the bone (he hadn't), and getting stitched up (14 total on two fingers), he realized that he didn't have a way to get home.

So, he got a personal taxi ride back up the mountain.(Which cost $150...yikes!)

Fortunately, he wasn't in any pain, and has only needed antibiotics as a precaution.

(For the record, I try not to think about the scarcity of medical help up here on the mountain. And I try not to freak out that the nearest hospital is over an hour away. Thankfully, our fire department and the local EMT's are wonderful – which was proven in this little escapade!)

When I returned home a few days later, I got my first look at his fingers.

It was brutal.

I won't go into details, and I have not included a photo of the damage (you're welcome), but let me just say this – "The Hub" is VERY lucky that he didn't lose one of the fingers, it was that deep and that bad.

He's healing well.

And I have nicknamed him "Dr. Frankenstein." (That's Franken–"steen," in honor of Gene Wilder!)

Accidents happen.

It's just one of the hazards of living in a broken world.

And sometimes, one might be tempted to live in fear of all the bad things that could happen when we venture out the front door (not to mention all the things that could happen inside of our own houses!).

I know I am tempted to live in fear.

Some people think that things just "happen" – willy-nilly – in a world gone mad.

They speak of coincidence, or chance, or luck.

Some people think things are pre-determined, and we have no choice or will in anything.

They speak of fate, or kismet, or destiny.

What should we believe as followers of Jesus?

I begin with Scripture, and specifically this:"Every day of my life was recorded in your book. Every moment was laid out before a single day had passed." (Psalm 139:16, NLT)

I don't know about you, but this verse puzzles me in some ways.I know that God lives outside of time, and is completely and perfectly omniscient.

Therefore, every moment of my life was known to Him before I was even born.

But then, we are also taught about the concept of free will.

Therefore, are my days "chosen" by God, or do I do the choosing?

Sometimes, in my mind, the truth of God's sovereignty butts up against the idea of free will – and vice versa.

I have met people, and have done it myself, who attribute everything that happens to either the devil or the Lord.Did the enemy cause my husband's accident? Did the Lord?

And some people say that many things happen just because of the inherent danger of living in a sinful world.

Was my husband's accident just one of those things?

I don't know the answers.

And when I don't know the answers, I rely on these verses (which are my life verses):"Trust in the LORD with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. Seek his will in all you do, and he will show you which path to take." (Proverbs 3:5-6, NLT)

And this:"And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose." (Romans 8:28, NASB)

So, here's my conclusion…

We live in a sinful world – full of disaster, disease, and death.

And yet, God is in perfect control.

And nothing happens outside of His knowledge, His permission, and His ultimate purposes.

My free will and His sovereignty somehow both exist.

And I can exercise my will to dovetail into His – continuing to yield and surrender my wishes to His plans.

Things will happen in this life, and we may not ever know "where" they originated, nor "why" they occurred.

But this is what matters to me…

God knew about it ahead of time – He is never surprised.God is in control, even when I don't understand what's going on.God's ultimate purposes and plans will be accomplished.God can and will work all things for good.God is with me, every step of the way.

And when all is said and done, that's all I really need to know!Have you ever had an *accident* – what did God teach you from it?

"You keep track of all my sorrows. You have collected all my tears in your bottle. You have recorded each one in your book." (Psalm 56:8, NLT)"Perhaps the LORD will look on my affliction and return good to me instead of his cursing this day." (2 Samuel 16:12, NASB)"You scrutinize my path and my lying down, and are intimately acquainted with all my ways." (Psalm 139:3, NASB)"Doesn't he see everything I do and every step I take?" (Job 31:4, NLT)"For God watches how people live; he sees everything they do." (Job 34:21, NLT)"For your ways are in full view of the LORD, and he examines all your paths." (Proverbs 5:21, NIV)"The eyes of the LORD search the whole earth in order to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to him." (2 Chronicles 16:9, NLT)"I know, LORD, that our lives are not our own. We are not able to plan our own course." (Jeremiah 10:23, NLT)"We can make our plans, but the LORD determines our steps." (Proverbs 16:9, NLT)"The LORD directs the steps of the godly. He delights in every detail of their lives." (Psalm 37:23, NLT)"The LORD directs our steps, so why try to understand everything along the way?" (Proverbs 20:24, NLT)"…O LORD, you are our Father. We are the clay, and you are the potter. We all are formed by your hand." (Isaiah 64:8, NLT)"Acknowledge that the LORD is God! He made us, and we are his." (Psalm 100:3, NLT)"Many are the plans in a person's heart, but it is the LORD's purpose that prevails." (Proverbs 19:21, NIV)"…the plans of the LORD stand firm forever, the purposes of his heart through all generations." (Psalm 33:11, NIV)"'For I am God, and there is no other; I am God, and there is no one like Me, declaring the end from the beginning, and from ancient times things which have not been done, saying, 'My purpose will be established, and I will accomplish all My good pleasure'…" (Isaiah 46:9-10, NASB)"Furthermore, because we are united with Christ, we have received an inheritance from God, for he chose us in advance, and he makes everything work out according to his plan." (Ephesians 1:11, NLT)"Your word, LORD, is eternal; it stands firm in the heavens." (Psalm 119:89, NIV)

19 comments:

Ouch with your hubby's accident! I hope he heals quickly! Sounds like beautiful things he makes though with the wood. So true God is with us every step of the way. We just need to cling to that truth and trust in him.

Oh my goodness Sharon! What an experience for your Hubs and for you! (Love the Gene Wilder reference, BTW!) Thanks be to God that he wasn't hurt worse, that his nerves are intact, and he didn't cut an artery!I wonder if that's the real message here about accidents. We are imperfect, and we will get into trouble...but the Lord watches out for us and helps us heal and restore. I know that happened with me when I broke my leg. I couldn't believe that it happened, but it sure did. Yet, I didn't pull any tendons or ligaments, and my healing moved right along. Yay!I hope the same for your dear husband. I hope he's not in too much pain?Blessings,Ceil

Hi there! What a spirit-filled blog post! I relish in all the nuggets of scripture you have taken time to write down here! I like how you link it to your life, even if I'm sorry to hear about your husband. I pray he heals well. I will save your blog URL and come back :) Blessings from Mia

Great post....I struggle with the tension between free will and God being in control at times or why he heals through prayer one time and through doctors the next in this ol body.......I don't have it figured out, but I do stand firm in believing He does not want us sick or hurting.

An accident I learned from was recent....falling off that step landing on my knees and then stiffening my arms and hitting the rocks. Not pretty. I look back and am humbled by God's protection cuz I broke nothing. Knees bruised, hands burning, but nothing broken and in this 68 yr old body that is still recovering form 27 years of Lyme disease? It had to be angels guiding me down and keeping me whole. I love how your hubby got an ambulance ride to the hospital....with badly cut fingers. Someone was watching over him.....

Accidents do happen, and we can learn from them what not to do and how to be more careful. I now take a flashlight with me when I walk my dogs at night. I don't want any more bad falls in the dark. I am glad you hubby had his wits about him to go to the fire station and they at least washed his bad cut. The charge for an ambulance is much more than the taxi fare, but I am glad he made it home. The bad part was you away and not being able to be with him. At least he kept you knowing what was happening. His hobby sounds wonderful and I do hope this accident will not slow him down in his wood working. Thank you for sharing with us here at Tell me a Story.

I think it's good to wrestle with Divine matters. I conclude, like you, that the God that spoke this earth into existence and is the power behind the perpetual motion of the galaxy as well as the sun, can surly give us free will and yet know the outcome of our choices.

I hate accidents. I've been stitched up so many times I can't even count the times, much less the number of stitches. A piece of one of the ends of my fingers that got cut off serves as a reminder to be safer, to keep my digits out of harm's way… just as it might save the Hub's in the future. God can use accidents to keep us safe too...

Oh wow, so glad your the hubs is ok and that God was protecting Him from losing a finger or two... oh and thank you for sparing us the picture of the hand, casue, I don't do well with that sort of thing, but you can totally post a picture sometime of the work he does with the wood, it sounds wonderfully beautiful! I am delighted to be your neighbor at 3 - YEP 3 linkups today #IChooseJoy #ThoughtProvokingThursday and #impartingGrace Oh and to answer your question - yep, Ihave had an accident, what i thought was a rolled ankle was actually a fractured ankle bone that I have been walking on for 6 weeks... but the pain is minimal and only have to wear a brace for another 6 .... lesson?? slow down, take time to listen to my body and rest. :) Blessings

Wow! Glad to hear your Hub is ok! That's quite the distance to medical care. I thought it was bad here being 40 minutes;)I'm so glad God pre-filters what happens to me and nothing out of His control can happen. I can't even imagine what it would be like if that wasn't the case!

Oh such a great post on trusting God in the trials of life! This resonated with me: "And I can exercise my will to dovetail into His – continuing to yield and surrender my wishes to His plans." Yes! I want to walk in that way that leads to so much peace! Thankful that your hubby is ok now! I'm your neighbor over at #LiveFreeThursday this week! --Blessings!

Sharon, I am so sorry that your husband was hurt so badly. My husband is a woodworker. Precautionary ways are so important, YET...there are some 'things' that happen that happen sooo fast that they are virtually unpreventable...so it seems. I will be praying for complete healing.You hit the nail (no pun intended) on the head with your statements at the end. God is in control and no matter the reason or cause, God knows and is with us and loves us through it all. I am so very grateful to and for Him.

Yes, accidents do happen, just because. Ask my husband, who fell on the ice in February and needed stitches in his head. No one was around, God didn't do it, and I don't think the Devil did it. It just happened. God knew it and cared enough to make sure he was near immediate help. You and I are on the same track, Sharon. Just wait till my Wednesday post comes out. Hehe. Prayers for a quick recovery for your Hubs.

Wonderful sharing here! I was reminded of a Bible study I did once when we were provoked to stop thinking about the why (why did God let this happen, etc.) and start looking for the "who" who is always there - God.

Oh my word, I am so sorry to hear about this. Glad he is okay. How often I don't answer my phone because I don't know the number. Makes me think that maybe I better answer it next time! I know that waiting to hear is never easy to do......

"So [I] have been greatly encouraged in the midst of [my] troubles and suffering, dear brothers and sisters, because you have remained strong in your faith. It gives [me] new life to know that you are standing firm in the Lord. How [I] thank God for you!" (1 Thessalonians 3:7-9)

Thanks for your comments - it is such a joy to be sharing my journey with friends like YOU!

(NOTE: Anonymous comments will be removed. Thank you for understanding.)

WELCOME

About Me

I'm a middle-aged, married, Christian woman. I have one wonderful husband, two great adult sons, two awesome daughters-in-law, two precious granddaughters, and an adorable granddog (a beloved beagle!) I consider myself a COLEN ("Change-Of-Life Empty-Nester"). This is a time of transition in my life. Things are changing, and so am I. However, I desire nothing more than to serve my Savior. Please join me on my journey as I walk out my faith in the second half of life!

MY PRAYER

FAITHFUL ONE

"I know your deeds. See, I have placed before you an open door that no one can shut. I know that you have little strength, yet you have kept my word and have not denied my name."

Revelation 3:8, NIV

WHY I WRITE

"I write because I don't know what I think until I read what I say.

I write to discover what I know."

- Flannery O'Connor

**AWARD FREE BLOG**

Though I am truly humbled and honored by your consideration, your comments are awesome enough!! Thank you so much.

"You will bring them in and plant them on your own mountain - the place, O LORD, reserved for your own dwelling, the sanctuary, O Lord, that your hands have established. The LORD will reign forever and ever!"

(Exodus 15:17-18)

"Come, let us go up to the mountain of the LORD...There he will teach us his ways, and we will walk in his paths."

MY WORD FOR 2016

Word origin: 1550's, "pleasing to the mind," also "full of gratitude," from obsolete adj. grate "agreeable, thankful," from Latin gratus "pleasing" – derived from the same word origin as the word "grace."

The trick to changing your behavior is to become more thankful.

The practice of gratitude involves a focus on the present moment, on appreciating your life as it is today and what has made it so.

Let us begin an eternal quest to express in new and creative ways our thanks to God.

So I'm breathing in Your grace,

And I'm breathing out Your praise.

Let our prayers be the overflow of a grateful heart to God.

Three steps in prayer:

PRAISE – praise, reverence, worship, adoration, and awe for who God is and what He does

ASK – honest, earnest, and intense requests

THANK YOU – always end with thanksgiving for everything

Pulpit commentary:

In everything give thanks.

In every circumstance – in joy and in sorrow; for everything – for prosperity and for adversity; in every place – in the house of God and on the bed of sickness.

Christians should not only be engaged in constant prayer, but in constant thanksgiving.

For this – this thankful spirit – is the will of God, His desire.

God by the gift of his Son has laid us under the obligation of perpetual thanksgiving. Our whole lives ought to be one continued thank-offering for all the blessings of redemption.

Gill's Exposition:

Thanks are to be given to him for all things…

For all temporal good things;

for our beings, the preservation of them;

for food and raiment, and all the mercies of life;

for the means of grace, the word and ordinances, and the ministers of the Gospel;

and especially for Jesus Christ, for such a…Saviour, and advocate with the Father, as he is; and for life, peace, joy, comfort, righteousness, and salvation in him.

Thanks should be given to God in every circumstance of life; in adversity, as Job did; when not in so comfortable and agreeable a frame of soul as to be wished for…even under the temptations of Satan…since the grace of God is sufficient to bear up under them, and deliver out of them.

[Give thanks] in afflictions of every kind, since they are all for good – temporal, or spiritual, or eternal.

The enemy specializes in making me feel discontent, unsatisfied, miserable, grumpy, self-focused, negative, and fearful.He brings nothing but suffering and pain – but You, O God, specialize in making megrateful...

TEACH ME YOUR WAY, LORD.

MY VERSE FOR 2016

"Rejoice always and delight in your faith; be unceasing and persistent in prayer; in every situation [no matter what the circumstances] be thankful and continually give thanks to God; for this is the will of God for you in Christ Jesus."

(1 Thessalonians 5:16-18, AMP)

A PRAYER OF GRATEFULNESS

Dear Lord, I want to change my outlook. I want to transform my spirit. I do not want to go through another day without remembering all that You have given me, and thanking You for it. Please give me the power to be thankful in all things, and for all things, for You are with me in all of it. Let me never forget that You work all things together for good, and for that I am eternally grateful.

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Thank you so much!

"THE HUB"

MARTY

"All creatures great and small, The Lord God made them all!"

"You care for people and animals alike, O LORD."

(Psalm 36:6)

"Until one has loved an animal, a part of one's soul remains unawakened."

- Anatole France

JESUS CHRIST IS THE SAME...

...yesterday, today, and forever!

A WORD FROM THE WORD

"'I am the LORD; there is no other God. I have equipped you for battle...so all the world from east to west will know there is no other God. I am the LORD, and there is no other.'"

(Isaiah 45:5-6, NLT)

A "MESSAGE" FROM GOD

"'I am honored all over the world. And there are people who know how to worship me all over the world, who honor me...They're saying it everywhere: 'God is greater, this GOD-of-the-Angel-Armies.'"

(Malachi 1:11)

(All verses taken from "The Message" by Eugene H. Peterson)

FOOD FOR THOUGHT

How do you cope with distress in your life?

Grateful Word:DISTRESS

"I tell you...if they keep quiet, the stones will cry out."

(Luke 19:40, NIV)

ON PRAYER

Sometimes I get all messed up when I think about prayer. Sometimes I think I look at it backwards – thinking it's all about me communicating with God. It is that, for sure. But it's also a time for God to communicate with me. It doesn't have to be big and lofty, nor long and pious. It's just two people who dearly love each other seeking conversation and communion.

FAITH

Seeing great miracles does not necessarily lead to great faith. Rather, great faith comes from a deep-seated conviction that God is great.

GRATITUDE

"Piglet noticed that even though he had a Very Small Heart, it could hold a rather large amount of Gratitude."

- A. A. Milne

EL ROI

The God Who Sees Me

"Is it your wisdom that makes the hawk soar and spread its wings?"

(Job 39:26)

"I know now, Lord, why you utter no answer. You are yourself the answer. Before your face questions die away. What other answer would suffice?"

(C. S. Lewis, "Till We Have Faces")

PURPLE MOUNTAIN MAJESTY

"From the rising of the sun to the place where it sets, the name of the LORD is to be praised."

ASLAN LIVES!

IN HIS EYES

MY OTHER BLOG

(For the complete story about "Bible Pick 'Ems," see my blog entry dated June 29, 2010)

(P.S. Please find references on the "BIBLE PICK 'EMS" Page on this blog!)

NOTE:

(Unless otherwise noted, all Scripture references are from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, c. 2007 by Tyndale House Foundation)

PEACE LIKE A RIVER

WHAT IS LOVE?

Love is when you are missing some of your teeth but you're not afraid to smile because you know your friends will still love you even though some of you is missing.

By Emma K. - Age 6

"Out of the mouth of babes..."

A friend is someone who knows the song in your heart and can sing it back to you when you have forgotten the words.

Anonymous

When you are uncertain, it helps to have someone remind you what is true – someone who knows you well, who sees you, and keeps track of you – not just your body but your soul.

Emily Freeman

HE IS MY ROCK

"The LORD is my rock, and my fortress, and my deliverer; my God, my strength, in whom I will trust..." (Psalm 18:2)

HOLD FAST

"Anyone who listens to my teaching and follows it is wise, like a person who builds a house on solid rock. Though the rain comes in torrents and the floodwaters rise and the winds beat against that house, it won't collapse because it is built on solid bedrock." (Matthew 7:24-25)

WHEN I AM WEAK, HE IS STRONG

PROMISE FOR THE DAY

TRUST IN ME

YOU ARE NEVER ALONE

I AM THE WAY, THE TRUTH, AND THE LIFE

GOD PROTECTS THE CHILDLIKE...

"For the Kingdom of Heaven belongs to those who are like these children."(Matthew 19:14)

MEET THE BIBLE

A ONE-YEAR BIBLE READING PLAN

Reading this year from: "The Amplified Bible" by Zondervan and The Lockman Foundation, c. 1987 (revision)

"Such things were written in the Scriptures long ago to teach us. And the Scriptures give us hope and encouragement as we wait patiently for God's promises to be fulfilled." (Romans 15:4, NLT)

"All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. God uses it to prepare and equip his people to do every good work." (2 Timothy 3:16-17, NLT)

"The grass withers and the flowers fade, but the word of our God stands forever." (Isaiah 40:8, NLT)

HOW GREAT THOU ART

"The heavens proclaim the glory of God. The skies display his craftsmanship." (Psalm 19:1)

"He counts the stars and calls them all by name. How great is our Lord!...His understanding is beyond comprehension!"

(Psalm 147:4,5)

"Praise the LORD from the heavens! Praise him from the skies!...Praise him, sun and moon! Praise him all you twinkling stars!" (Psalm 148:1,3)

"For your unfailing love is higher than the heavens. Your faithfulness reaches to the clouds. Be exalted, O God, above the highest heavens. May your glory shine over all the earth."

(Psalm 108:4,5)

"Your righteousness, O God, reaches to the highest heavens. You have done such wonderful things. Who can compare with you, O God?" (Psalm 71:19)

"I alone am God, the First and the Last. It was my hand that laid the foundations of the earth, my right hand that spread out the heavens above. When I call out the stars, they all appear in order." (Isaiah 48:12)

"God made the earth by his power, and he preserves it by his wisdom. With his own understanding he stretched out the heavens. When he speaks in the thunder, the heavens roar with rain. He causes the clouds to rise over the earth. He sends the lightning with the rain and releases the wind from his storehouses." (Jeremiah 10:12-13)

ALL FOR HIS GLORY

I'm not trying to win the approval of people, but of God.

If pleasing people were my goal, I would not be Christ's servant.

But even before I was born, God chose me and called me by His marvelous grace.

I will commit myself to instruction and listen carefully

to words of knowledge.

I will leave it all in the Lord's hand.

I will trust Him.

For there truly is a reward for those who live for God.

ALL GLORY TO GOD FOREVER AND EVER!! AMEN!

I'D RATHER HAVE JESUS

I’d rather have Jesus than men’s applause,

I’d rather be faithful to His dear cause -

I’d rather have Jesus than worldwide fame,

I’d rather be true to His holy name -

I’d rather have Jesus and let Him lead,

I’d rather have Jesus than anything

This world affords today.

"So, my dear brothers and sisters, be strong and immovable. Always work enthusiastically for the Lord, for you know that nothing you do for the Lord is ever useless."

(1 Corinthians 15:58)

THE GLORIFIED ONE

SERVING THE MOST HIGH

Corrie ten Boom once said she was simply, "the skin on the hands of God."

"Love your neighbor as yourself." (Matthew 22:39)

"And the King will say, 'I tell you the truth, when you did it to one of the least of these my brothers and sisters, you were doing it to me!'" (Matthew 25:40)

"'And if you give even a cup of cold water to one of the least of my followers, you will surely be rewarded.'"

(Matthew 10:42)

"...my life is worth nothing to me unless I use it for finishing the work assigned to me by the Lord Jesus - the work of telling others the Good News about the wonderful grace of God."